November 19, 2017
The 24th edition of the Gaudeamus-Book of Learning International Fair, organised by Radio Romania, opens its doors on Wednesday.
Newsroom, 19.11.2017, 13:51
KING MIHAI I — The health condition of King Mihai I has not worsened over the past two weeks, although his state continues to be serious, Romania’s Royal House said in a communiqué on Sunday. Also, doctors said that Crown Princess Margareta, who went to Switzerland to stand by the King, can return to Romania for the time being. Aged 96, King Mihai I is suffering from cancer. Taking the throne of Romania in 1940, King Mihai I was forced by the communists to abdicate seven years later and go into exile. He returned to Romania after the fall of communism and lobbied, as special ambassador, for the country’s accession to NATO and the EU.
EMPLOYERS – The CONCORDIA Employers Confederation, one of the largest in Romania, has called on the Government to urgently withdraw the law forcing companies to start collective negotiations with the employees within 30 days. The Confederation has voiced in a release their outrage at the complete lack of transparency in passing a law with a major impact on labour relations, whose constitutionality is still uncertain. The measure forces all employers in Romania to initiate collective negotiations within 30 days, in spite of the fact that the effects of the emergency decree transferring social security contributions from employers to employees have not been clarified. The Employers Confederation is accusing the Government for operating this change without consulting with its social partners and with the purpose of making employers and trade unions assume responsibility for decisions unilaterally taken by the executive.
REFERENDUM — Over 650 thousand people from Moldova’s capital Chisinau are expected to vote in a referendum today, to decide if the city mayor, Dorin Chirtoaca, should be dismissed or not. The referendum, initiated by the Socialists’ Party, is a first for the former Soviet province. The pro-Russian President Igor Dodon called on the citizens to cast their vote in order to put an end to what he defines as chaos and uncertainty. The Liberals, on the other hand, who support the suspended mayor, say they will not take part in what they see as an anti-Chirtoaca plebiscite. Dorin Chirtoaca is accused of influence peddling and of overstepping his responsibilities.
GAUDEAMUS BOOK FAIR — The 24th edition of the Gaudeamus-Book of Learning International Fair, organised by Radio Romania, opens its doors on Wednesday. No less than 800 editorial and professional events will be organised during the fair, which will be attended by 300 exhibitors: Romanian publishing houses boasting a long tradition in the field, education institutions, book sellers and publications, professional associations and other organisations active in the field of culture and education. The honorary president of the fair will be the well-known playwright and journalist Matei Vişniec and the honorary guest of this year’s edition of the fair will be the European Commission. Thus, the event will mark 60 years since the Treaties of Rome were signed, 30 years since the launch of the Erasmus program and 10 years since Romania joined the EU, says Angela Cristea, head of the EC Representation in Romania.
HANDBALL — The Romanian women’s handball team, CSM Bucharest is today playing against the Polish team Vistal Gdynia on home turf, in the last match of the Champions’ League Group A. With four wins and a defeat, CSM ranks first in the group, which is also made up of Nykobing Falster Handboldklub (Denmark) and RK Krim Mercator Ljubljana (Slovenia). CSM Bucharest won the Champions’ League in 2016 and is one of the favourites of the current edition of the most-powerful European inter-club competition.
(Translated by Elena Enache)
